The Bossier banner., 1887-09-29
/ WEST POINT ''PLEBE.' .
lunoyances to Which a Candi-
date is Subjected.
mt Experiences of Life at the Famous
Hn,tary Academy = Reporting - The
.Committee Of Reception" Etc.

"a West Point correspondent contrib
ties the following spicy and graphic
ecouat Of life at the academy to the
Philadelphia Times:
Do you know what "report" means?
Veil, Unusually signifies loud noise.
bat when a candidate for military
lsarels reports at West Point he
makes very little noise. indeed. To ex-
plain, let me refer you to my own case.
Every reader Of the Times is aware
thstmy name is Hancock de Grant and
hat record of the same may be seen
iasrecent register of the United States
Military academy. 1t was in the
spring, the balmy spring, that I received
ny appointment, conditionally ac-
cspted, as cadet at the National
academy. With what a pleasure I
asode the sylvan dells of my Western
home; that large folded paper, bearin~
The signature of the Secretary of w ar.
d the coat pocket next to my 'neart.
and the girl 1 loved best on me same
side. Ye gods! what brirat pictures
d the future arose. che, .,ering at both
her and me. Who co'ald tell but that
'hs' too, might sore day be the bride
aagreat Gene.ral, namely, myself
Hancock de r.irantP
At one r4oment the smoke of battle
aiea the air and the roar of artillery
arow.,ed the babble of the pleasant
nsok at our feet; the next moment l
anconsciously pressed her closer to my
bosom and dreamed of cleaning sabers
flashing and changing in the greatest
battle OF the age, led by General Han
cock de Grant.
The days sped by until. luckily, the
anne for reporting was near. l say
luckily, because if the time had been
longer the lunatic asylum might have
claimed another recruit to its army OF
enthusiasts, and in that event I might
bare fared worse than I actually did at
sqaad drills" and '.yearling recep-
lions. y
Z. 4 faint rumor Of hazing and of drills
had reached me In my far off Western
home, but the determination of Han
cock De Grant was that nothing should
eeter him In his onward stride to fame.
bldding all an affectionate adieu, trac-
ng kiss upon her lips and giving her
pressing invitation to be present at
ne next summers hops, of which / had
aeard 50 much, boarded an Eastern
oound train. After a long and dusty
nde West Point was reached.
ny appointment commissioned me
. report at the adjutant's office. nine
ocicck q. m. June. 188-. l was
mere on time. The. adjutant of the
academy, q gentlemanly army officer,
ss very courteous. i found myself in
company with about two-score candi.
yates, others reporting during the sue.
oeeolng days. Some had already re.
o,ssd We were dispatched with an
eluerly Gan officers valet) to the
s0spltal, whre rigid physical examina.
Won was undergone, most of us being
saludged suitable for the service. Re.
M.ning to headquarters the polite ad
r'ant oade the orderly escort us to the
oarracks and deliver. us to the tende,
ufe Of the cadet officers in charge O
new cadets.
Lou should have seen that motle,
1nn4 Of candidates, striplings from
WY part of the Union, and stamped
s''a the peculiarities Of their section o
Wuntry. Some with darkened uppe
ps' others mustacheless; some wear
Mg iong-tailed coats, others bob-tailet
oa.s' some silk hats, others Texa
= swumereros. and SO on in infinite variety
- we're being towed along. high hope
lning, but not without an uneasines
8 e the mysterious ways of the cadet
3 saw. What was that little groul
sasaat Oh! they were cadets. Lool
tnsr broad shoulders. little waist
as 1 snowy trousers. Surely such gen
sy sssmaniy looking little fellows vii
s,. sss, Us like brothers, + thought. Blu
bs n.y. pa and ma feel happy when l g
me s on vacation! l shall smile ar
sss'ngiy ~ as pass my soon-to-be com
We were brushing mast them